Bandeau



Feb. 4, 1947. sc 2,415,371

BANDEAU Filed Aug. 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.3

INVENTOR. 7 A M BY 4 m Feb. 4, 1947' H. RASCH 2,415,371

BANDEAU Filed Aug. 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lb 16 I5 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Feb. 4, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relatesto bandeaux and more particularly to a construction affording adjustablesupport regardless of different requirements of individual wearers.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved bandeauconstruction which will assure an attractive outward appearance, with asubstantially identical contour on both sides of the wearer, despite thefact that each side may require support to a different degree.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of positioningremovable filler cone members, so that comfortable yet snug fit will beprovided by bandeaux of the same size fitted on women of different size.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an outerpermanent breast formation element, in combination with an inneradjustable breast support. The outer element provides a desired contoureffect while the inner support may assume different positions to providea snug fit in supporting position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of anintermediate retaining member between the outer breast formation elementand the inner adjustable support. Said intermediate retaining member isfastened at seams connecting it to the outer formation element. A fillercone may readily be inserted behind the retaining member so that itassumes a substantially immovable position between the outer formationelement and the inner adjustable support. The use of such filler conesnot only provides improved appearance, but adds to the support requiredinasmuch as it takes up that space which results between the inner andouter members where the inner member is pulled up due to lack offullness in a person of smaller size.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision ofsubstantially identical adjustable supporting and fixed formationelements for each side of the wearer combined, however, with meansenabling each of the sides to be adjusted as desired to provide supportin different degrees support and enhance the adaptability of the bandeaufor wearers of different size. without causing discomfort.

Another feature covers the use of cones which be so positioned as toenable ready removal for replacement whenever desired.

Further features covering manner of assembly, adjustability fordifferent waist sizes and making for ease, simplicity, economy andcomfort, and adding to the desirability of employing the same bandeauduring a longer period than existing prior constructions, will be moreapparent from the following description of one form of the invention tobe read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. l isa perspective view showing, in part, the outside of applicant's bandeauin assembled form;

Fig. 2 shows, in part, the rear view of said bandeau with the inneradjustable supporting elements turned down to show the retainingmembers:

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a filler cone;

Fig. 4 shows one form of sliding tape arrangement for enabling the inneradjustable support to be raised and lowered, depending upon therequirements of the wearer;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing therelation of thepermanent outer formation element, the inner adjustable supportingelement, the filler cone, the retaining member therefor, and theself-adjusting tape arrangement; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing applicants bandeau in assembledform, looking toward the inner side thereof.

Considering the drawings, similar designations referring to similarparts, numeral I designates in general a bandeau or brassiere structure.In Fig. l the outside of said structure is shown, in part, havingpermanently fixed breast formation elements 8 adapted to fit each sideof the wearer and stitched by seams 9 to portions ".1, II and I2constituting the ,waist encircling assembly of the bandeau. While foreconomy of construction three elements III, II and I! are employed, aplicant may combine said elements I0, II and I2 in one piece, ifdesiredi Lower seam l3 and upper seam ll provide the supporting andfinishingcharacteristicsrequired for the assembly making up the garment.Extension 15 on portion I0 is provided with a hook device It forfastening into eyes l'l provided in extension ill attached to the end ofportion I 2. Such adjustment enables the bandeau to fit wearers havingdifferent waist sizes without the needfor elastic inserts.

"at seam H to each element 8. Thus, its top edge is fixed. Its oppositesides are also stitched to to give a desired outward appearance, andyet.

opposite'edges 20 of-seam 9. The lower edge 2| "is free' and unstltched.

' u to give it fullness and a similar fold 25 may be provided in outerelement 8.

The upper edge 26 of inner support 22 is in the form of a curve as shownin Fig. 6 and is free. In Fig. 2, the upper edge is shown folded down sothat the lower edge 2i of retaining member I! may be seen.

The inner adjustable support 22 may have at its upper tip a slide link21 as shown in Fig. 2. This may fit within a loop 28 at the end of self-.adjusting tape 29 whose other end is fixed to the tip 30 of outerformation element 8. In Fig, 6 both ends of self-adjusting tape 29 arestitched so that in this case there is no slide link 27 or loop 28.Instead, one end of the self-adjusting tape 29 is stitched to the tip ofinner support 22 as shown by the numeral 3| in Fig, 6 and the other endis stitched to tip 30 of-the outer ele ment 8.

The self-adjusting tape 29 is actually a small strap fitted on the lowerbar of buckle 32 so that it rides on the bar. Shoulder straps 33 havetheir rear edges 34 fastened to the upper seams of portions In and I2,whereas the other edge is adjustably folded within the upper part ofbuckle 32 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 so that each strap'33 may belengthened or shortened as desired.

Filler cone 35 as shown in Fig. 3 may readily be inserted insubstantially fixed position against formation elements 8. This iseasily done by pulling down the upper edges 26 of the inner breastsupports 22 and inserting one or more cones under retaining member iii.The position of such cones between the retaining member and theformation elements 8 assures a non-shifting position of the filler conesand yet enables ready removal for replacement. Thus, the bandeau may bewashed as desired and then new filler cones inserted. Also, differentnumbers of filler cones may be used depending upon the individualrequirements of different wearers. A desirable full appearance is,therefore, assured.

Since the upper edge of adjustable support 22 is in the form of a longcurve and since this is connected to self-adjusting tape 29, the innersupport 22 will ride up to a required degree depending upon the size ofthe wearer and the fullness to be supported. As a result, the upper edgewill form a shallow or a full inner pocket de-' pending upon the size ofthe wearer. Its support characteristics will be substantially equivalentregardless of difierences in fullness; and the adjustment will takeplace automatically depending upon the degree to which the adjustableinner support 22 will freely ride on the lower slide bar of buckle 32.

Applicant thus provides a self-adjusting, hygienic bandeau which givesthe permanent full effect desired from the standpoint of outerappearance combined with adjustability of support and ready removabilityof filler members.

Since applicant's construction may be varied by modifications in cut andcombination of the various parts, and by modification in pattern withoutdeparting from the principles disclosed,

no limitation is made with respect to precise details of design; and allequivalent structures are deemed covered within the purview of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bandeau, the combination of an outer.

pocket member having substantially a fixed contour, a retaining memberfixed within the outer pocket member, said retaining member beingadapted to cover the upper portion of the breast of a wearer and toretain a filler cone in position adjacent said outer pocket member, afiller cone disposed adjacent said outer pocket member and being held indesired position by said retaining member, and an inner pocket memberadapted to cover substantially all of the breast of a wearer andoverlapping said retaining member, said inner member having a fixedbottom edge and a free top edge, said free top edge being held in suchmanner that it is self-adjusting depending upon the breast size to besupported,

2. In a bandeaufthe combination of an outer.

pocket member having substantially a fixed contour, a retaining memberfixed within the outer pocket member, said retaining member beingadapted to cover the upper portion of the breast of a wearer and toretain a filler cone in position adjacent said outer pocket member, afiller cone disposed adjacent said outer pocket member and being held indesired position by said retaining member, and an inner pocket memberadapted to cover substantially all of the breast of a wearer andoverlapping said retaining member, said inner member having a fixedbottom edge and a free top edge, a band connecting said inner and outerpocket members, a slide bar, said band being supported on said slidebar, and a shoulder strap fitted to a retaining means including saidslide bar.

3. In a bandeau, the combination of a pair of outer pocket membershavingsubstantially fixed taining members, each inner member having a fixedbottom edge and a free top edge. and means connected to the free edgesof said inner members for adjusting said members to a degree dependingupon the breast size to be supported.

HENRY RASCH.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,061,402 Hollar Nov. 17, 19361,886,742 Rose Nov. 8, 1932 2,141,408 Rosenthal Dec. 27, 1938 2 175,676Walters Oct. 10, 1939 2,044,623 Moran June 16, 1936

